The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is a mission-driven, non-profit program grounded in the belief that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the most pressing problems facing the world today, including poverty, conflict, endemic corruption and disregard for human rights.
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association dedicated to promoting rule of law around the world. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative believes that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the pressing problems facing the world community today, including poverty, economic stagnation, and conflict.
The ABA established the program in 2007 to consolidate its five overseas rule of law programs, including the Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), which it created in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Today, ABA ROLI implements legal reform programs in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative has more than 400 professional staff working in the United States and abroad, including a cadre of short- and long-term expatriate volunteers who, since the program's inception, have contributed more than $200 million in pro bono technical legal assistance.
The Rule of Law Initiative is currently seeking experienced judges, attorneys, and law professors interested in lending their expertise to our rule of law reform programs for both long- and short-term assignments overseas.
Through its International Pro Bono Legal Specialist Program, the Rule of Law Initiative provides American and European legal expertise and technical assistance to emerging democracies around the globe as they modify and restructure their laws and legal systems. Legal Specialists reside in host countries for varying periods of time, and work closely with legal professionals, local governments, non-governmental organizations, law schools, and other institutions to identify legal reform priorities and implement technical assistance projects. Since 1990 more than 5,000 volunteers - judges, attorneys, law professors and legal specialists - have contributed over $200 million in pro bono assistance to promoting the rule of law throughout the world.
Requirements
For volunteer positions abroad, the Rule of Law Initiative only considers professionals with a minimum of five years of relevant experience, a high level of energy and initiative, strong interpersonal skills, and relevant substantive legal expertise. International experience and foreign language skills are preferred, but not required.
Support Package
All volunteer participants serving over 90 days receive a generous support package that covers travel, housing, general living, and business expenses. In-country foreign language training and medical evacuation are also included. Participants serving for shorter periods will receive a similar, but less comprehensive package.
Interested candidates should visit
http://www.abanet.org/rol/opportunities/positions.shtml